Chicago Family Law Attorneys | Divorce Lawyers, Cook County IL

Our skilled Chicago divorce attorneys provide exceptional legal work, aggressive representation and above-and-beyond client service at affordable rates. We will provide you with the best representation for any family law issues including divorce, maintenance awards, adoption, child custody and support.

Our skilled Chicago divorce attorneys provide exceptional legal work, aggressive representation and above-and-beyond client service at affordable rates. We will provide you with the best representation for any family law issues including divorce, maintenance awards, adoption, child custody and support.

We look forward to the opportunity to building our representation for excellence by providing you with quality legal service you deserve!

We Are Cost-Effective! Our divorce attorneys work efficiently and cost-effectively to make your law matter as affordable as possible. We are proud of our rates and value we bring to our clients. Our Chicago Attorneys Provide Comprehensive Representation!Because our attorneys collaborate to bring together their different areas of expertise, we provide you with expert representation in nearly every area of law. If your case requires a wider range of expertise than family law, our broad experience can put you in an advantageous position.

Some of Our Accomplishments

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our

Chicago Divorce & Family Law Attorneys

What to Expect From a Consultation

The purpose of a free consultation is to determine whether our firm is a good fit for your legal needs. Although we often discuss expected results and costs, our attorneys do not give legal advice unless and until you choose to retain us. Although most consultations are complimentary, some may carry a charge depending on the type of matter and meeting location.

O'Flaherty Law of Chicago

See below for our other locations. If our office locations are not convenient for you, we are happy to speak with you by phone. ​​​

Hours: 9 am - 5 pm Mon - Fri

Our Office Locations:

Downers Grove

5002 Main St, Ste. 201 Downers Grove, IL 60515

Naperville

105 Jackson Avenue, Ste. 4b Naperville, IL 60540

Elmhurst

​110 E. Schiller Street, Ste. 220B ​Elmhurst, IL 60126

Lake in the Hills

8411 Pyott Road, Ste. 107, ​Lake in the Hills, IL 60156

Tinley Park

​16557 Oak Park Avenue, Ste. B, Tinley Park, IL 60477

St. Charles

210 S Fifth St, Ste. 107B, St. Charles, IL 60174

Meet Our Owner

Kevin O'Flaherty oversees all legal matters and is actively involved in making sure every client's case, big or small, is handled with excellence and attention to detail. He is available to contact through phone and email and his rates are available upon request.

Here's What Our Clients Have to Say:

John Paul Clancy

Says...

"Kevin and his firm, O'Flaherty Law, are friendly, efficient, knowledgeable and professional. Kevin is a master at bringing people together and sharing ideas."

Kevin Sender

Says...

"Kevin O'Flaherty and his team at O'Flaherty Law are among the friendliest and easiest to work with attorneys I've dealt with. I would suggest them to any friends or business associates."

Kevin O'Flaherty was instrumental during the purchase process of my new house. I highly recommend him and the entire firm!

An excellent client experience, I recommend O'Flaherty Law to all of my clients that have a need for consultation in family law.

John Paul Clancy

Says...

"Kevin and his firm, O'Flaherty Law, are friendly, efficient, knowledgeable and professional. Kevin is a master at bringing people together and sharing ideas."

Kevin Sender

Says...

"Kevin O'Flaherty and his team at O'Flaherty Law are among the friendliest and easiest to work with attorneys I've dealt with. I would suggest them to any friends or business associates."

Mike Stehlik

Says...

"Kevin and his team are my "Go To" resource for clients that need estate planning"

Kevin Koc

Says...

Kevin O'Flaherty was instrumental during the purchase process of my new house. I highly recommend him and the entire firm!

Stephen Petersen

Says...

An excellent client experience, I recommend O'Flaherty Law to all of my clients that have a need for consultation in family law.

Troy Golden

Says...

Kevin is an excellent attorney. He helped me incorporate by business and provides legal counsel as need. I highly recommend him.

Illinois Spousal Maintenance Explained

In this Learn About Law podcast & video blog, attorney Kevin O'Flaherty of O'Flaherty Law discusses the division of property in divorce cases in Illinois. In this video, we will provide an overview of the twelve factors that Illinois courts consider in determining the amount of maintenance to award to a spouse in a divorce proceeding. 1) Income of each spouse. 2) Needs of each party. 3) Present and future earning capacity. 4) Whether Marriage caused educational delays. 5) Time necessary for spouse to obtain education opportunities. 6) Standard of living of each spouse. 7) Duration of the marriage. 8) Age, Emotional and physical condition of each. 9) Tax consequences of property division. 10) Contribution of ones spouse to the other's education or career. 11) Agreements between parties. 12) Courts discretion

Prior to July 1, 2015, the amount and duration of spousal maintenance awards in Illinois divorces, also known as alimony or spousal support, were determined at the discretion of the court by the judge weighing several factors specifically listed in the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5/101, et seq.) (the "IMDMA"). However, in 2015, law was passed that changed this calculation.

According to the new law, the court will weigh these factors to determine whether maintenance is appropriate. However, if maintenance is appropriate, the court is now instructed to use specific formulas to determine both the amount and the duration of the award in most cases. In certain cases, courts are permitted to deviate from the statutory formulas, in which case the divorce court will use the statutory factors to determine the amount and duration of the maintenance award.

Prior to July 1, 2015, the amount and duration of spousal maintenance awards in Illinois divorces, also known as alimony or spousal support, were determined at the discretion of the court by the judge weighing several factors specifically listed in the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act (750 ILCS 5/101, et seq.) (the "IMDMA"). However, in 2015, law was passed that changed this calculation.

According to the new law, the court will weigh these factors to determine whether maintenance is appropriate. However, if maintenance is appropriate, the court is now instructed to use specific formulas to determine both the amount and the duration of the award in most cases. In certain cases, courts are permitted to deviate from the statutory formulas, in which case the divorce court will use the statutory factors to determine the amount and duration of the maintenance award.

Maintenance Awards in Chicago Divorce Cases

In this article, our Chicago divorce attorneys discuss factors courts could consider when determining the awarding of maintenance during a divorce case, the amount of the award, and how it will be paid. Maintenance can be paid in lump sum or continuing payments on a temporary or permanent basis. Courts attempt to place the parties in a relatively equal position close to the standard of living they enjoyed during the marriage. Some of the most important factors are the length of the marriage, earning capacity of each spouse, and any sacrifices one spouse made during the marriage for the other spouse's career.

Collaborative Law Divorce & Cooperative Divorce

In this article, our Chicago Collaborative Divorce attorneys explain Collaborative Law Divorce and Cooperative Divorce. Both are alternatives to litigating the issues of your divorce in court and with each Collaborative Divorce and Cooperative Divorce, the parties agree to the exchange of information freely out of court and attempt to negotiate in good faith. The difference between the two is that with Collaborative Divorce, the attorneys for both sides must withdraw if negotiation becomes unsuccessful and litigation becomes necessary. Both Collaborative Law Divorce and Cooperative Divorce are potential options to save your family significant money and stress throughout the divorce process.

In this article, our Chicago Collaborative Divorce attorneys explain Collaborative Law Divorce and Cooperative Divorce. Both are alternatives to litigating the issues of your divorce in court and with each Collaborative Divorce and Cooperative Divorce, the parties agree to the exchange of information freely out of court and attempt to negotiate in good faith. The difference between the two is that with Collaborative Divorce, the attorneys for both sides must withdraw if negotiation becomes unsuccessful and litigation becomes necessary. Both Collaborative Law Divorce and Cooperative Divorce are potential options to save your family significant money and stress throughout the divorce process.

Changes to Illinois Divorce Laws

In 2016 the Illinois Marriage and Defense of Marriage Act (the "IMDMA") saw several changes. The intent of these changes was to reduce the likelihood of disputes and to bring the language of the Act in line within the modern realities and understanding of marriage, divorce and parenting.

Irreconcilable differences will now be the only grounds for divorce in Illinois. Previously, parties could list irreconcilable differences or one of several specific statutory grounds when filing for a divorce. However, irreconcilable differences used to require a time of living separate and apart than specific grounds (2 years). Now, the time of living separate and apart is 6 months, and can be waived if both parties agree.

The terms "custodial parent" and "visitation" have now been replaced by "allocation of parenting time and responsibility." Also, four categories of parenting responsibility will be divided among the parents, those being religious, educational, extra-curricular, and medical responsibility.Parents were previously permitted to move anywhere in-state without leave of court, but required court permission to move out of state. Now the determination is based on distance instead of state lines. Parents may now move within 25 miles without a court order, regardless of in-state or out. Moves of more than 25 miles will require permission of court. Outside of the Chicago metro area, parties can move within 50 miles without leave of court as long as it is in-state.

Our Chicago divorce attorneys explain asset division and which assets are marital assets subject to division and which types are non-marital assets. In this article we also discuss factors that courts consider when determining the division of assets from a marital estate. ​Read the full article by our Chicago attorneys on how assets are divided in a divorce.

Everything You Need to Know About Marital Settlement Agreements

Marital Settlement Agreements are agreements made between parties of a divorce that deal with issues like division of property, marital debt, child support, maintenance payments, and parenting time and responsibility. Our Chicago divorce attorneys in this article, explain how they work, when they can be made invalid by the court, what elements are reviewable by the court, and how they can be modified based on changed circumstances after they are entered.

Our Chicago child custody attorneys discuss factors Cook County courts could consider when they determine child custody issues. Courts generally have broad discretion to rule based on their belief in what would be in the "best interest of the child." However, there are statutory factors that the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act instructs courts to consider, like the child's adjustment to his or her home, community and living situation of the parents. There are also several common law factors that are not listed in the IMDMA, but which courts have considered previously.

Chicago divorce attorney Kevin O'Flaherty describes the changes to Illinois child support laws that will go into effect in July of 2017.

In these articles, our Chicago Child Support attorneys explain guidelines for determining amounts of child support payments and changes to Illinois child support laws which will become effective on July 1, 2017. ​The new law changes minimum guidelines from the number of children a couple has to one based on the amount of time each parent spends with the child and relative incomes of both parents.

Our Chicago paternity attorneys examine the different types of causes of action related to paternity law. This includes establishing paternity by mutual consent, who ca file paternity cases, burden of proof, who the "presumptive father" is and the process for presenting expert testimony regarding DNA tests. Read the full article by our Chicago paternity lawyers regarding everything you need to know about Illinois paternity law.

In this article, our Chicago family attorneys explain filing for a dissolution of marriage in Illinois. We discuss the process for filing, the requirements of the petition and how to serve it to the respondent. Read the full article by our Chicago divorce lawyers regarding divorce petitions.

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